Shoaib, 40s
Computer and Technology Whisperer

When are you happiest?

When I’m at my happiest… Good question. I’m at my happiest when I feel that I’ve achieved something that’s big. In fact most of the time I’m happy. It’s never really occurred to me when I’m happy because I have a life that’s beautiful, you can’t complain. I love things like driving, I’m happy cycling, I’m happy spending time with family. There’s no key factor for when I’m happiest at the moment.

What are you passionate about?

At the moment I’m extremely passionate about casual cycling because it helps me lose weight. Although I’ve broken my arm cycling so I am on a break, literally, so I’ll be back cycling again in two weeks time. I’ve already taken three months, almost three months break. I love cycling, I love driving, without sounding selfish I also love spending time with family, but these are two passions, things I really like and have passion with.

What is something significant you have achieved?

Most significant achievement I would say being able to help people on a downfall. So for example, somebody is suffering in a marriage, or somebody has problems. I’m part of a Muslim network for example. Helping all the Muslims and be able to help them where possible, not 100%, but that is an achievement for me.

What do you hope to achieve in 2016?

Go to pilgrimage, and go to Hajj which is Islamic Pilgrimage which is what I want to achieve this year, hopefully with my family.

First time so I am looking forward for it, that’s the main thing I want to do. That is the main factor, everything else comes later.

One of the pillars of Islam is to do your pilgrimage, so if I had say $10,000 instead of buying a new watch, car or bicycle, something like that… if I need it that’s different, that’s important, however if I already have something and have that kind of money I’d rather go for pilgrimage because that’s one of the things you have to do it, and it will be fantastic. And from an Islamic point of view it erases all your sin, so the best way you’re going to start your life with in 2017, hopefully.

Who is your role model?

My role model from Islamic perspective is a few, you have to understand, parents obviously. My main role model is Muhammed peace be upon him, I did a study on his biography. Without being superficial, I don’t like to sound superficial every time as I am sure other Muslims say the same thing. From a marketing perspective I have some other role models like Jay Abraham or Dan Kennedy for example.

Parents are the best role models after the prophet peace be upon him. So I have a few of them. If it’s a specific one person I’d have to choose it would be the prophet Muhammed peace be upon him, but if there’s several, I’d say my parents, and my wife is a role model, and sometimes my kids surprisingly because we learn from the younger, and they teach you a lot as well.

What is the greatest risk you’ve taken?

First of January, going with a bicycle down a hill. Not knowing what I was doing, I still don’t know what I was doing. I remember going down the hill, and waking up in hospital, everyone else was filling me in. And apparently it was a three story high steep hill, and found me on the side of the road. And apparently an ambulance came and took me away, and I broke my arm.

What’s something that has changed your life?

Recently I would say it’s my accident, knowing that I woke up alive in hospital but I could have died or I could have been paralysed, could have been anything like that. So taking life easy but at the same time being more focused with my work, my family, my friends and things like that. Taking life a bit more seriously now, because waking up made me realise ‘you could have died’ and that was it or you could have paralysed and you wouldn’t have all the chances like before.

One of my customers calls me passionately ‘one armed bandit’. I’m not a bandit but technically I have one arm 100%, one arm 80%, and concussion. I’m trying to utilise that, to go back being a much better person than before, and being able to provide for people whatever I can.

What’s your best advice to give to other people?

You might not like it but as a Muslim I always say look guys, let’s all go to paradise together. I invite you to come and look at Islam. We only have one life, that’s all there is, I know some of you are atheist that don’t believe there is a god. But then you wouldn’t be on Facebook discussing your views, you’d be doing better things than that. Other religions have their thing, I know most people are very sincere but you can be sincere and incorrect, I have been sincere and correct, we have all the answers, that’s why I say we invite you to Islam rather than you must come to Islam, because in the end God will guide it.

What role do your beliefs play in your life?

Everything from world to business to family to getting up to going to sleep to eating, literally eating yes, use your right hand for example. My belief plays in every aspect you can think of. Of course to ere is human, because I don’t mean to portray myself as a saint, sorry wrong word saint, but portray myself as a prophet human being which I’m not, but be able to show that look, I’m trying, but in the end we’re here to answer to god. If we understand that concept then you try your best, whatever you can according to the laws of god.

Is there anything else you would like to say?

Look at Islam Look at it objectively. You are not the first one to hate Islam and you are not the last. But if you are going to hate a religion at least do it educated. There is nothing wrong with constructive criticism. But everything wrong with blatant lies and nonconstructive talks, because it’s a waste of time and air.